Lynyrd Skynyrd, (pronounced ‘lĕh-’nérd ‘skin-’nérd)

Release Date: 1973

Previously Owned: No

First Time Listen: Yes

Other bands named after gym-teachers: Alice Cooper, Led Zeppelin, The National, and Das EFX.Impressions: Lynyrd Skynryd's weird name (in honor of a gym teacher,) Southern-fried boogie rock, tragic plane-crash history and long soloing is all very easy to make fun of. Most people (especially us who are not Southern By The Grace Of God) do this reflexively, like those smartasses that shout "Freebird" at any concert, without … Continue Reading ››

#408
Sinead O' Connor, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got

Release Date: 1990
Previously Owned: Yes
First Time Listen: No

Intense.

Impressions: Coming out just before Nirvana changed the whole popular music landscape, this huge-selling album made Sinead a one-of-a-kind cultural touchstone due to her strident no-bullshit attitude, trademarked bald head, and great pipes. Haven't heard it in years, let's get to it… The tone for the album is set with the slow-building, string-backed "Feel So Different." For all the mockery she's taken over the years, her cathartic emotional voice still manages … Continue Reading ››

Wings, Band On The Run

Release Date: 1973
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

Impressions: I know the song. You know the song. But, still, let's play the whole album…I'm pretty sure we are all in agreement that the song "Band On The Run" is a goddamn nutballs masterpiece? Right? It's three different epic songs perfectly arranged into a breezy five-minute mini-suite about a band. A band on the run.
SOMEONE STOP THAT BAND!
Outside of that, I got no idea what most of the other songs are about, but at this point … Continue Reading ››

Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend

Release Date: 2008
Previously Owned: No

First Time Listen: Yes

Impressions: Fairly popular band with the kids of now. Let's hit play… Trust-fund angle to the packaging, music, lyrics…even album titles like "Oxford Comma" and "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa." They describe their mix of sounds as "Upper West Side Soweto." "Mansard Roof" starts off with a galloping beat and some tremelo guitars. At least, singer Ezra Koenig is trying to question his privilege with a chorus of "Who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma?" He's got a very … Continue Reading ››

George Harrison, All Things Must Pass

Release Date: 1970

Previously Owned: No

First Time Listen: Yes

Impressions: Heard good things about this one, lots of people consider it the best post-Beatles solo album any of them ever made. Let's put it on: Beautiful hazy opener, with George's (first names only, please) wonderful guitar lines weaving their magic. "Oh My Lord" is fantastic, builds so beautifully. Nice strings, great lead guitar, heavenly chanting... a very pleasing listen. There's something gentle about George's approach that's very appealing without being mushy. He never … Continue Reading ››

#438

The Cure, Boys Don't Cry

Release Date: 1978

Previously Owned: No

First Time Listen: Yes

Impressions: Much like the way I enjoy the Smiths, I like my mopey served up with a side order of catchy. The Cure certainly fits that bill. Boys Don't Cry is an early compliation of The Cure smashing together stuff from their first album Three Imaginary Boys and other singles for a US audience. Let's put it on...The title track is still a simple classic single-- with a chiming guitar and lean production that … Continue Reading ››

The Pogues, Rum, Sodomy and the Lash

Release Date: 1985
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

I guess I'll take rum...Impressions: Irish folk-punk rock. A very narrow little sub-genre, practically invented by The Pogues, that I enjoy in small doses, like a musical version of Jameson's Whiskey. Definitely not for everyone, but if you are open to its aggressive fiddle/banjo/accordion/mandolin/whiskey driven sound, it can be quite bracing. Let's have a shot… The first few songs get right to the point … Continue Reading ››

War, The World Is A Ghetto

Release Date: 1972
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Impressions: In college, I had four roommates, so every one of us would get to choose one CD and throw that into the 5-disc changer for parties. Then we'd put it on uber-shuffle, lock the door and let it go all night without taking requests or having anyone mess with the music. A few of my roommates were big into War, so usually one of their CDs would make it … Continue Reading ››